







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| But it's my favourite restaurant... | |
| It's not for me, it's for the rice, dear! | |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | |
| Ta-ta here it is... | |
| Is it big money? | |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | |